On Jan. 20, 2025, Donald Trump became the 47th president of the United States. After taking the oath of office, President Trump began signing executive orders pardoning Jan. 6 defendants, implementing Schedule F to reclassify civil servants as political appointees, dismantling executive agencies like USAID, freezing federal funding and more. Many of his executive actions have faced legal challenges.
On this page you will find real-time updates of the litigation, Lawfare's weekly livestream series, documents related to the actions, Lawfare's four trackers which follow the legal challenges to administration actions, and analysis of President Trump's executive actions and the litigation challenging them. Use the buttons below to navigate the page.
.png?sfvrsn=42879f6b_2)
Find real time updates of Lawfare’s coverage of the Trump administration’s legal challenges, on Bluesky or below:
Every week, Lawfare Editor in Chief Benjamin Wittes sits down with Lawfare contributors for "The Trials of the Trump Administration," a live discussion on the legal challenges to President Trump's executive actions.
Lawfare Analysis
-
Trump Signs Executive Order on Speech and Censorship
The order directs the attorney general to investigate federal government activities of the last four years that may have violated principles of free speech. -
Trump Order Purports to End Constitutionally-Protected Birthright Citizenship
The order states that citizenship does not extend to babies born on U.S. soil, something long understood to be guaranteed under the Fourteenth Amendment. -
Trump Releases Memo on Organization of the National Security Council
The NSC functions to advise the president on “the integration of domestic, foreign, and military policies relating to national security.” -
Federal Employees Union Challenges Trump Schedule F Order
The union argues that the order, which strips certain federal employees of employment protections, violates multiple laws and regulations. -
The Situation: Why the Jan. 6 Pardons Won’t Work
Not even the president can change the truth. -
Trump Declares National Emergency at the Southern Border
The executive order invokes emergency authorities to enable the Defense Department to deploy reservists and oversee military constructions. -
Trump Signs ‘America First Policy Directive to the Secretary of State’
The order directs the secretary of state to ensure State Department policies are “in line with an American First foreign policy.” -
Trump Signs Executive Order ‘Securing Our Borders’
The order directs the secretaries of defense and homeland security to take action to “deter” and “remove” illegal immigrants. -
Trump Reinstates Schedule F in the Excepted Service
The order amends and reinstates Trump’s Executive Order 13957, which strips employment protections for federal workers.
